Word Origin & History

comply early 14c., from O.Fr. compli, pp. of complir, from L. complere "to fill up" (see complete). Meaning infl. by ply. Originally "to fulfill, carry out;" sense of "consent" began c.1600 and might have been a reintroduction from It., where complire had come to mean "satisfy by 'filling up' the forms of courtesy."

Example Sentences for complying

It was for them to consider how far they were justified in complying with his request.

I have not the present means of complying with such a demand, if I had ever so great an inclination.'

In the morning of this very day, I was simple, and incautious, and complying.

Most willingly, Sir Jairvis; and I know he'll be any thing but backward in complying.

Yesterday, on Cairnhope Peak, she was passive, but soft and complying.

Did he honor his Father's law by complying with it, or did he not?

Silius hesitated for a time about complying with these proposals.

On the subject of complying with this request there was a great debate in the Carthaginian senate.

In this instance there will be no difficulty in complying with the request.